Synonyms of avid

avid

adjective

ˈa-vəd 

1

as in eager

having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions

stared at the array of jewels with an avid glint in his eye

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eager
• greedy
• mercenary
• avaricious
• acquisitive
• covetous
• grasping
• coveting
• desirous
• rapacious
• grabby
• moneygrubbing
• materialistic
• ravenous
• insatiable
• voracious
• miserly
• unquenchable
• gluttonous
• piggy
• piggish
• egocentric
• unsatisfied
• hoggish
• devouring
• discontented
• grudging
• commercialistic
• itchy
• lickerish
• malcontent
• discontent
• egotistic
• resentful
• begrudging
• egoistic
• swinish
• self-centered
• gobbling
• philistine
• self-seeking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• generous
• charitable
• altruistic
• handsome
• unselfish
• magnanimous
• selfless
• moderate
• munificent
• bountiful
• bounteous
• controlled
• unsparing
• nonmaterialistic
• temperate
• restrained
• satisfied
• content
• openhearted
• openhanded
• sated
• greathearted
• freehanded

2

as in enthusiastic

showing urgent desire or interest

an avid baseball card collector

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enthusiastic
• excited
• eager
• ardent
• keen
• anxious
• voracious
• hungry
• impatient
• pumped
• desirous
• interested
• thirsty
• greedy
• happy
• solicitous
• nuts
• agog
• antsy
• enthused
• great
• ready
• gung ho
• stoked
• juiced
• geeked
• crazy
• willing
• engaged
• wild
• hopped-up
• champing at the bit
• athirst
• hot
• chomping at the bit
• obsessed
• hepped up
• bonkers
• raring
• gaga
• longing
• ambitious
• covetous
• restless
• glad
• pining
• breathless
• restive
• craving
• inclined
• hankering
• amenable
• game
• disposed
• appetent
• hung up
• unreluctant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifferent
• casual
• apathetic
• unenthusiastic
• uninterested
• disinterested
• unconcerned
• nonchalant
• aloof
• detached
• incurious
• insouciant
• reluctant
• unwilling
• stolid
• impassive
• hesitant
• lukewarm
• uneager
• averse
• languid
• loath
• halfhearted
• lackadaisical
• spiritless
• languorous
• disinclined

Synonym Chooser

How is the word avid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of avid are anxious, athirst, eager, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

When might anxious be a better fit than avid?

Although the words anxious and avid have much in common, anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

Where would athirst be a reasonable alternative to avid?

The meanings of athirst and avid largely overlap; however, athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

When could eager be used to replace avid?

While in some cases nearly identical to avid, eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

When is it sensible to use keen instead of avid?

The synonyms keen and avid are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of avid

Morse, a progressive Republican from Wisconsin and an avid Cold Warrior, had been elected to the Senate from Oregon but left the Republican Party in part because of its failure to denounce Joseph McCarthy and, in 1955, became a Democrat. —Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026

Amor was an avid gardener who enjoyed making salsa from the peppers and tomatoes in her garden with her son, a senior in high school. —Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026

Best for those who prefer their couch to be a place to converse and hang out rather than nap, this piece is perfect for avid entertainers and those who work from home. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026

Vince Carrick was an avid Newcastle fan and first took Michael to St James’ Park when Carrick was six. —Michael Walker, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026